How to Manage a Team Through Corporate Change
Corporate change can cause a negative ripple throughout a company. Whether it's change in leadership, business structure or process, it will have an effect on at least some staff. Managing your team through corporate change is difficult when the members are directly impacted by the changes. As a manager, you must remain positive, be open with staff and show why change is a good thing.
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Instructions
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Meet with your staff often to share what you know (and are allowed to share) about the corporate changes within your company. Hold staff meetings and encourage staff to ask questions. Explain how the changes not only affect the company but also individual job roles. Have an open-door policy to discuss changes so you team does not perceive that you are hiding anything.
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Encourage your team to recognize that change is good. Help it see the positive aspects of change and that companies need to evolve and make changes in order to grow. Though the changes may cause short-term angst and confusion, explain how the long-term benefits will ultimately help the company and your department to prosper.
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Meet individually with staff directly affected by the corporate changes. If you must lay off staff, meet privately with each affected individual and a human resources representative. Offer a severance package and outplacement services, if budget and policy allows. Encourage the employee to file for unemployment and offer to supply a positive reference.
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Show your team examples of departments and individuals who persevered during corporate changes. Give specific examples of those who survived earlier downsizing, moves and change in leadership. Ask those individuals for advice you can share with your team on how to persevere. Inspire your team to worker harder to impress management with their work ethic and new ideas.
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Lead by example. Continue to manage your team as you always have. Don't let perceptions, water-cooler gossip and the fear of change dictate how you manage your staff. If you show cracks in your facade, your team may notice and pick up on your anxiety, decreasing their productivity.
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